Tuesday 11th June
Former U.S. congressman & advocate for the undocumented Irish in the US, Bruce Morrison, with Denis Naughten TD.
The new law which would provide a path to citizenship for up to 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US will commence its debate in the US Senate this week, Denis Naughten TD has outlined.
The new law is making steady progress through Capitol Hill in the US and has already passed out of committee on an unexpectedly strong vote of 13-5 in favour of the reform of US immigration law.
It is expected that a crucial vote of the US Senate will take place by the end of June and steady progress is being made not only to secure a majority of the US Senate but also crucially the US Congress where the new law is expected to have a more difficult passage.
“The new law would allow any person who was resident in the United States before 31st
December 2011 and who has remained there since that date to be eligible to apply for a six year temporary residency status, which would allow them to legally enter and leave the US,” stated Denis Naughten.
“It is expected that this new law is the best possible package available to the 50,000 undocumented Irish workers and their families in the US.
“In tandem with the passage of this new law it is expected that a new working visa scheme for people resident in Ireland, who are seeking to work legally in the United States, will also be introduced. This is imperative to ensure that the issue of the undocumented Irish is addressed in a comprehensive manner once and for all,” added Denis Naughten.